Garment-stay



an STATES PATENT QFFTQE.

FRANK L. 0. WADSWORTH, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPIRELLA COMPANY, INC., OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

GARMENT-STAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Application filed July 21, 1914. Serial No. 852,255.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. O. WADS- WORTH, a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Garment-Stays, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to garment stays, and particularly to wire stays for use in corsets or like articles of wearing apparel.

The object of the invention is to provide a stay of this kind which is flexible in all directions, which includes a long length of wire in a stay of given dimensions, which is very elastic and resilient, and which is materially reinforced along the opposite edges of the stay so that the bending is not concentrated at any point or points, thereby avoiding short bends, localization of wear, and crystallization and breakage of the wire.

The invention comprises a stay constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, which represent two embodiments of the invention, Figures 1 and 2 are face views and Fig. 3 is an edge view.

The stay shown is formed of wire, and in the embodiment illustrated is formed of a single wire 1, of any desired cross sectional form, such as round, square or polygonal, which is bent back and forth alternately across the stay from edge to edge thereof to form a series of oppositely disposed loops or eyes 2, which are preferably alternately disposed in progressive arrangement along the opposite edges of the stay, and which are connected by transverse portions or crossings 3. The transverse portions are inclined transversely across the stay, being shown as substantially herring bone or V- shaped with the opposite branches inclined diagonally in opposite directions, the bends or angles in the crossings lying in a continuous row along the middle line of the stay. The several crossing portions are substantially parallel to each other, each two successive crossing portions being joined to form one of the edge loops 2. Said loops at their outer ends are bent out of the general direction of the inclined crossings to form loop extensions 1, which extend toward one or the other of the ends of the stay, and which may be inclined at any desired angle to the crossing portions to which they are connected. Each of the edge loops 2 preferably overlaps the next adjacent crossing portion of the wire, and the general trend of the extension 4: of each loop may be either substantially normal to the crossing portion of the wire to which it is connected, as in Fig. 1, or inclined thereto, as in Fig. 2. The increased size of the edge loops, which is produced by extending them longitudinally of the stay, gives the stay increased flexibility when bent or flexed edgewise and in consequence also of the overlapping of the loops along the edges of the staywhich produces a mutual bracing and supporting effect-the stay is not so liable to take a permanent set upon short bends, in the edgewise direction. The increased length of the crossing, which results from their V-shape or form, also adds to the elasticity and resiliency of the stay when flexed or bent edgewlse.

The stay described is practically flat and contains a long length of wire for a stay of given dimensions. It may be readily manufactured and is strong and resilient and consequently very durable.

What I claim is 1. A garment stay, comprising wire bent back and forth across the stay to form a series of V-shaped crossing portions, the outer ends of successive crossing portions being joined to form two rows of edge loops and being bent out of the general direction of said crossing portion to form loop extensions extending longitudinallypf the stay.

2. A garment stay, comprising wire bent back and forth across the stay to form a series of V-shaped crossing portions, the outer ends of successive crossing portions being joined to form two rows of edge loops and being bent out of the general direction of said crossing portion to form loop extensions extending longitudinally of the stay, each of said loop extensions overlapping the next adjacent crossing portion of the wire inwardly of the loop extension to which it is connected.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK L. O. WADSWORTH.

Witnesses:

GLENN H. LERESCHE, EMMA CUNNINGHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

